That's the view of former international Danny Wilson - who was in the team when O'Neill made his debut against Greece in February 1988.

O'Neill has never been one to screams and shouts from the touchline and Wilson believes his calm approach off the pitch is helping his players stay in control of things on it.

"I remember we came into the international squad at around the same time," said Wilson. "He was only a teenager at the time and I don't think anyone would have been looking at him then as a future manager.

"He went about things quietly, was humble - just the same as he is now as a manager. He took a lot of things on board and you could see a determination in him to do well.

"He doesn't go around being loud and animated. He is calm and relaxed in the way he goes about things - I suppose like he was as a player - and even when you see him in the stadium he is in control of his emotions."